FLORIDA \u2013 Florida lawmakers this week expanded the state\u2019s swim voucher program, widening the eligible age range to 1 through 7 in an effort to reduce child drownings.<\/p>\n
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in Florida for children 4 and younger, and supporters said the change will help children retain skills and give more families access to lessons.<\/p>\n
The measure moved through the Florida House with ease and changes the program\u2019s eligibility from children 0 through 4 to those ages 1 through 7. <\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Health would be required to develop standardized educational materials on drowning prevention and safe bathing practices, and hospitals, birth centers and home-birth providers would have to include the information in postpartum education.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrownings can happen in a matter of seconds. It\u2019s not just about the swim skills that they learn in the moments of the swim lessons. It\u2019s also the confidence they build and the awareness they build when they\u2019re around bodies of water,\u201d Delonyx Cortez, vice president of operations at Winston Family YMCA, said.<\/p>\n